Drive and release mechanism for type-casting matrix strips



p 1936- c. A. MACOMIC 1,777,26

DRIVE AND RELEASE MECHANISM FOR TYPE CASTING MATRIX STRIPS Filed Nov. 1, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z X M Zar/ee w:

Sept. 30, 1930. c. A. MACOMIC DRIVE AND RELEASE MECHANISM FOR TYPE CASTING MATRIX STRIPS Filed Nov. 1, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 DRIVE AND RELEASE MECHANISM FOR TYPE CASTING MATRIX STRIPS Sept. 30, 1930. c. A. MACOMIC 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 1, 1928 Sept. 30, 1930. c. A. MACOMIC DRIVE AND RELEASE MECHANISM FOR TYPE CASTING MATRIX STRIPS Filed Nov. 1, 1928 5 SheetsSheet 4 Na s jfzariigyai Sept. 30, 1930. .c. A. MACOMIC DRIVE AND RELEASE MECHANISM FOR T-YPE CASTING MATRIX STRIPS Filed Nov. 1928 5 Sheets$heec 5 Patented Sept. 30, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHESTER A. MAOOMIC, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO PATENT PRODUCT COR- PORATION OF CHICAGO, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE DRIVE AND RELEASE MECHANISM FOR TYPE-CASTING- MATRIX STRIPS Application filed. November 1, 1928.

My invention relates to improvements in drive and release mechanism for type casting matrix strips and has for one object to provide in connection with a type castingmachine a new and improved mechanism whereby selected matrix strips may be fed forwardly from the starting position and selectively arrested in their travel and position so that selected characters on the matrix strip are brought into opposition to a casting area for the purpose of selecting a pattern or a group of characters to be cast as a slug or line.

Another object of my invention is to provide a positive release and automatic looking means whereby selected matrix strips may be positively released from the propelling mechanism at predetermined points in their travel and may be positively locked in the position at which they are released.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a driving and release mechanism as will give a positive feed to the matrix strips and will at the same time release with a minimum of resistance and a minimum load on the machine.

In connection with type casting machines I wherein a plurality of separate matrix strips are longitudinally displaced and thereafter selectively arrested in predetermined position to build up the pattern or line and whereby each strip must separately be released from the driving mechanism, it will be understood that when single strips at a time are released the driving mechanismvcan exert a considerable force to operate the releasing device and still not be overloaded, but it may happen that the slug to be cast will have only one character and that every character on the slug may be the same. In that case all the matrix strips must be simultaneously re leased and under these circumstances the driving mechanism must have power enough to operate all the release mechanisms simultaneously. If we have for instance 88 matrix strips and it takes two pounds tension to release one strip, then the driving mechanism must exert 17 2 pounds which is much more than is required to propel the strips or to release them in normal operation. If it takes Serial No. 316,602.

4 or 5 pounds, as may be the case where a 1 spring or friction release is used, the force which must 'be exerted by the propelling mechanism reaches figures far beyond the capacity of any machine which can be commercially manufactured and produced, and therefore a release mechanism operating on a minimum pull is of the utmost importance.

Moreover it is of the utmost importance to provide a release and locking mechanism which will avoid the possibility of rebound, because if a matrix strip when it is released does not stay in the position at which it is released but rebounds back or goes on forward this slug is ruined, and therefore a positive, quick acting, locking mechanism is of the utmost importance.

My invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawin s, wherein igure 1 is a top plan View of a matrix bed.

Figure 2 is a side elevation in part section of the matrix bed and driving mechanism.

Figure 3 is a section on an enlarged scale along the line 83 of Fig. 1 showing the matrix strip still being propelled and about to be released.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the parts as the releasing and locking action commences.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the releasing and locking action completed.

Figure 6 is a similar View showing the matrix strip just after it has been unlocked on the return movement.

Figure 7 is a somewhat similar view showing a different part of the bed with the; matrix strip approaching the end of its return excursion.

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the matrix strip with its return movement completed and in the initial or starting position.

Figure 9 is a detail plan View on an enlarged scale of the start or assembly end of the battery of matrix strips.

Figure 10 is a section along the line 10-10 of Figure 4.

Figure 11 is a section along the line 11-11 of Figure4.

It will be understood that only so much of the mechanism as is necessary to illustrate the subject of this present invention is illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the mechanism shown is part of a complicated type casting machine and the type casting and matrix selecting elements of the device are not illustrated since the invention here concerns itself only with the drive and release mechanism for the matrix strips.

A is a supporting matrix bed. A is a rectangular drive-carriage, the two longitudinal elements of which take the form of racks A A A are pinions mounted on a shaft A extending up through slots A in the bed and in mesh with the racks A It will be understood that suitable power means are provided for rotating theshaft A back and forth to give the carriage A a reciproeating motion. The forward end of the carriage forms a matrix strip return bar A extending down substantially to the surface of the bed A.

B, B are a series of separate matrix strips arranged side by side on the bed A between the side bars of the carriage A These matrix strips have on the under faces a series of notches B divided by partition walls B Characters to be cast are formed on the bottom Walls of said notches. The ends of the matrix strips as at B B are downwardly projected beyond walls B the difference in height in the walls in these projections being perhaps exaggerated for the purpose of clearness it being necessary to have a slight clearancebetween the surface of the bed on which the matrix strips travel and the partition walls so that the sharp edges will not be Worn away thereby causing bad slug castings. It will be noted that the relative positions of the matrix strips and the walls A are such that he wall may engage the ends of all the strips to give them their return movement. B is a guide strip dovetailed into the upper edge of each matrix strip. The matrix strips are preferably of brass or bronze. This guide strip preferably of steel is narrower than the matrix strip so that while adjacent matrix strips contact each other there is a space between adjacent guide strips which space provides a clearancebetween each pair of matrix guide strips for the guide plates 13 which are mounted on the carriage A and serve to properly position the individual matrix strips as they move back and forth on the bed. The rear or driving end of'the frame A is tied together by keyed pins 13, B which also support the guide plates B, these plates being spaced alon the pins B, B in proper relative position Ty integral blocks B formed by notching the outward extension of the keys B In Figure 11 the section shows the position of the character forming impression in the bottom of the notch B as at B The driving end of each matrix strip has a stop lug C extending therebeyond at a point above the supporting bed. It also has at a point in front of the termination of the guide strip B a cylindrical recess C cut away at the top and two diagonal slots C C C is a ivotedmat head having a generally cylin rical lug C engaging the recess C and dove-tail blocks C, engaging the recesses C C The end of this mat head extends beyond and downwardly of the end of the matrix strip having a lug C in opposition to the lug C. The lower side of this mat head has a locking claw C adapted to selectively engage notches 0 in the supporting bed. C is a holding finger projecting backward from the end of the mat head and C is a seating pad projecting upwardly fromthe end of the mat head. C is a cam or release finger associated with the opposed end of the mat head removed from the locking claw. It will be noted that the conformation of the locking claw and the recess is such that there isa positive hold and such that tension in a forward direction or toward the left in Figures 3 and 4 tends to seat the claw in the recess.

D, D are a pair of intermittent gears. The gear having a hook or recess D adapted to engage the holding finger C when in the driving position shown in Figure 3 and a seating cam D adapted to engage and wipe over the seat pad, to force the claw into cngagement with the recess in the positions shown in Figures 4 and 5 when it is rotated by the gear D to unlock. It will be noted that the gear D has a concave surface D" adapted to be engaged by a convex surface D on the gear D The relation of the parts being such that long the gear I) not rotated gear D is locked against rotation and therefore forward movement of the carriage with the parts shown in Figure sures forward movement of the matrix strip there being one set of gears for each matrix strip. The gear D has projecting upwardly therefrom a release pin D which in F ignr e 3 has just come into contact with pattern pin D Further movement of the carriage causes the pattern pin to rotate the gear D into the position shown in Figure 4. This also causes a retracting rotation of the gear 1) to release the finger C and hook D and cause the pad D to force the pivoted mat head down so that the claw comes into engagement with the notch C. This movement is completed in Figure where the linger D has rotated far enough to clear the pattern pin D The hook is entirely out of line with the mat head and the pressure on pad D has finally seated the mat head hood in the bed. 4 The friction spring D, there being one-for each of the gears D ,engages the face of the gear and holds it by friction against undesired movement such as might be imparted to it by vibration and the like. Once the parts have reached the position shown in Figure 5 the carriage goes on leaving the matrix strip at rest in the stopped position. The friction of the moving matrix strips on both sides of the strip which has been left tending as it may to carry the matrix strip forward only results in locking it more firmly in place because of the inclined interlocking surfaces between the claw and the notch in the bed. This drive and release mechanism provides a positive drive connection the strength of which is limited only by the strength of the materials of which it is made and further provides a very delicate release mechanism which can be operated with a very slight pressure, which pressure is very much less than the tension which may be resisted by the drive mechanism itself. The action is much like the trigger action in a'gun, where a very light touch releases a firing pin, the pressure exerted by which may! be many times greater than the pressure required to cause release of the mechanism.

The carriage after dropping all matrix strips which are to be dropped and if the pattern pins D there being, of course, one for each strip, are all in place in the strip releasing position, all the matrix strips will be dropped. The carriage having reached the end of its excursion will start back and continue on its return movement until it reaches the position shown in Figure 6. In

v be dropped into the position shown in Figure 6 such that it is brought down into line with the release finger C so that as the car- .riage comes back the cam E engages the finger C exerts a downward pressure upon it and wedges the mat head out of the position shown in Figure 5 into the traveling position shown in F igure6. This being permitted by the fact that in this position the hook gear D is beyond the end of the mat head and there is a clearance between such gear and the holding finger C and seating pads C on the mat head. This permits the matrix strip return bar A to engage the ends of matrix strips and drive them back to the starting position, this being made possible by the raising or disengagement of the mat head. a

Figure 7 shows the parts just as the carriage and matrix strip is approaching its starting position. The mat head has engaged the buffer bar E which bar-is slid-' by the cushion spring E The mat head has been released by the cam E so that the locking claw C may drop into the pocket E in the bed. The finger D is just engaging the reset cam E Further movement will cause the finger to rotate into the position shown in Figure 8 and cause the hook D to engage the holding finger. The fact that the claw C is in the recess and that the mat head is down makes it possible for the cam D to pass over the pad C to permit engagement of the hook and as the hook rotates after the cam D has passed on the further movement of the matrix strip causes the claw to ride up over the curved cam surface E limiting the pocket E so that the finger C meets the hook D the bar being at the same time pushed back to the initial starting position and serving to cushion the end of the return movement of the parts. The apparatus is now in position for a re turn excursion.

' I have shown my invention as applied to a type casting machine because that is the machine in which it is now being used. It is obvious that the stripdriving, releasing locking and pick up mechanism which forms the subject matter of this invention might equally well be used in any situation which movement of the kind involved is to be imparted to a strip or other similar member and though I have described and claimed this as in a type casting machine it will be understood that the claims are intended to be broadly inter preted as covering any device where such releasing mechanism is used such as for instance in a type setting or printing machine where instead of matrices wehave printing characters on the strips or in any similar device where it is desired to propel forward release lock in place and later reassemble or redistribute a series of separate movable elements. Moreover it will be understood that the strip might be used instead of as a matrix strip or type bar as a rack to operate some other piece of machinery.

I claim:

1. In a type casting machine a plurality of separate matrix strips, a driving means for moving them forward in unison, a positive driving connection between each of them and the driving means and an automatic release for each separate driving connection.

2. In a type casting machine, a plurality of separate matrix strips, a driving means for moving them forward in unison, a positive driving connection between each of them and the driving means and an automatic release for each separate driving connection, locking means associated with each matrix strip, the driving connection when released being adapted to force the locking means into operative position.

3. In a type casting machine, a plurality of separate matrix strips, a single driving means for all of them, a positive driving connection between each of them and the driving means responsive to the movement of the driving means and independent of the force exerted by the driving means on the matrix,

means associated with each matrix strip, the

driving connection when released being adapted to force the locking means into operative position, the positive driving connection including a pair of intermittent gears.

6. In a type casting machine, a plurality of separate matrix strips, a single driving means for all of them, a positive driving connection between each of them and the driving means responsive to the movement of the driving means and independent of the force exerted by the driving means on the matrix strips for releasing selected strips, the positive driving connection including a pair of intermittent gears.

7. In a type casting machine, a matrix strip, a moving drive member therefor and a positive releasable driving connection be tween them.

8. In a type casting machine, a matrix strip, a moving drive member therefor and a positive driving connection between them and an automatic release for such connection.

9. In a type casting machine, a matrix strip, a moving drive member therefor and a positive driving connection between the-m and an automatic release for such connection, the connection including a pair of intermittent gears.

10. In a type casting machine, a matrix strip, a mat head pivoted thereon having a locking claw, a notched bed along which the stri travels a fin er )ro'ectin from the rotatable to interlock the claw and the notched bed.

11 In a type casting machine, a matrix strip, a mat head pivoted thereon, a finger proJecting from the head, driving means, a pivoted hook carried thereby adapted to engage the finger, means for positively locking the hook against rotation and automatic means for releasing it, a pair of intermittent gears upon one of which the hook is mounted, the other being adapted to lock the hook carrying gear against rotation, means responsive to movement of the driving means for rotating it to release the hook carrying gear.

12. In a type casting machine, a matrix I strip, a mat head pivoted thereon, a finger projecting from the head, driving means, a pivoted hook carried thereby adapted to engage the finger.

13. In a type casting machine, a matrix strip, a mat head pivoted thereon, a finger projecting from the head, driving means, a

' pivoted hook carried thereby adapted to engage the finger, means for positively locking the hook against rotation.

14. In a type casting machine, a matrix strip, a mat head pivoted thereon, a finger projecting from the head, driving means, a pivoted hook carried thereby adapted to engage the finger, means for positively locking the hook against rotation and automatic means for releasing it, a pair of intermittent gears upon one of which the hook is mounted.

15. In a type casting machine, a matrix strip, a mat head pivoted thereon, a finger projecting from the head, driving means, a pivoted hook carried thereby adapted to engage the finger, means for positively locking the hook against rotation and automatic means for releasing it, a pair of intermittent gears upon one of which the hook is mounted, the other being adapted to lock the hook carrying gear against rotation.

16. In a type casting machine, a plurality of matrix strips, a single moving drive member therefor and separate positive driving connection between each strip and the moving drive member.

17. In a. type casting machine, a plurality of matrix strips, a single moving drive member therefor and separate positive driving connection between each strip and the moving drive member and means for automatically releasing each such separate drive connection.

18. In a type casting machine, a plurality of separate matrix strips, a single driving means for all of them, a positive driving connection between each of. them and the driving means responsive to the movement of the driving means for releasing selected strips.

19. In atype casting machine, a plurality of separate matrix strips, a single driving means for all of them, a positive driving connection between each of them and the driving means responsive to the movement of the driving means for releasing selected strips, the positive driving connection including a pair of intermittent gears.

20. In a type casting machine, a plurality of separate matrix strips, driving means for moving them forward in unison, a driving connection between each of them and the driving means, and an automatic release for each separate driving connection, and means, responsive to the release, for lockingeach matrix strip in position at the pointof release.

21. In a type casting machine, a plurality of separate matrix strips, driving means for moving them forward in unison, a driving connection between each of them and the driving means, and an automatic release for each separate driving connection, and means, responsive to the release, for locking each matrix strip in position at the point of release, such means including a mat head associated with each matrix and a locking member associated with the mat head.

22. In a type casting machine, a plurality of separate matrix strips, driving means for moving them forward in unison, a driving connection between each of them and the driving means, and an automatic release for each separate driving connection, and means, responsive to the release, for locking each matrix strip in position at the point of release, such means including a-mat head associated with each matrix and a locking member associated with the mat head, the positive driving connection including intermittent gearing.

23. In a type casting machine, a plurality of separate matrix strips, driving means for moving them forward in unison, a driving connection between each of them and the driving means, and an automatic release for each separate driving connection, and means, responsive to the release, for locking each matrix strip in position at the point of release, such means including a mat head associated with each matrix and a locking member associated with the mat head, the positive driving connection including intermittent gearing, said gearing including a gear having a member adapted to engage said mat head to hold it out of matrix strip locking position during the movement of the matrix strip.

24. In a type casting machine a plurality of separate matrix strips, a driving means for moving them forward in unison, a positive driving connection between each of them and the driving means and an-automatic release for each separate driving connection, means for locking said matrix strips at the point of release from the driving connection.

25. In a type casting machine a plurality of separate matrix strips, a driving means for moving them forward in unison, a posi- CHESTER A. MACOMIC. 

